Parents need to know that Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is a very violent, bloody, action/horror/fantasy movie about what might have happened if the children from the famous fairy tale continued to kill witches and grew up to make a living at it. Despite its origins, this definitely isn't a fairy tale for children. It's full of outrageous violence, with women beaten up in battle, children in peril, lots of blood, minor characters killed in various ways, weapons, and more. There's some brief female nudity (a naked bottom and breast) and some minor, playful innuendo. Language includes a handful of uses of "f--k" and "s--t." And there's a scene in which the hero drinks too much and is shown suffering the consequences.

Families can talk about Hansel and Gretel's outrageous violence. Does it seem necessary to the story? What effect does it have?

When Hansel says "the only good witch is a dead witch," what doesn't he know about? What does he learn over the course of the movie that changes his view? How does his statement apply to other situations or stories you may have heard?

How does this movie differ from the Grimm Brothers fairy tale? Is it any more or less violent? Why would violence be used in a children's story?

Are Hansel and Gretel role models in this movie? Why or why not?

Ben, a supporting character, collects newspaper clippings of Hansel and Gretel's killings and hopes to be a witch hunter himself someday. Why does he idolize them? What attracts him to this violence?

The good stuff

Messages: Mixed messages about discrimination: The main characters believe that "the only good witch is a dead witch," but they eventually learn that there are good witches in the world as well and that such blanket statements are useless. At the same time, however, there's a closing message about how revenge "feels good."

Role models: Hansel and Gretel are siblings who seem to work well together, and they're impressively skilled and courageous. But they also live a violent, sad, and guarded existence and often aren't very trusting of others.

What to watch for

Violence: Constant outrageous, bloody fantasy violence and almost wall-to-wall fighting and chasing. Very powerful guns and other weapons are used. Bad guys are shot, stabbed, and beheaded. Heads are smashed. A man's stomach explodes. A witch is burned at the stake, and a man is hanged. Gretel is violently beaten up in a fight, and many female witches are viciously battered. Children are in peril. There's some scary, horrific witch-related imagery. Many minor characters are killed, in addition to one major supporting character.

Sex: A pretty witch coaxes a wounded, shirtless Hansel into a pond by taking off her clothes. Her bottom is shown, as well as one naked breast. While in the water, they kiss. Meanwhile, a helpful young man mops the brow of an unconscious Gretel and succumbs to the urge to mop her cleavage a little bit. (She wakes and slaps his hand away.) Some kissing in a flashback.

Language: "F--k" and "s--t" are each used a few times. Other words include "hell," "damn," "ass," and "oh my God."

Consumerism: Not applicable

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Hansel drinks too much at a pub and is later shown passed out and groaning on the floor. A character is shown smoking a pipe. Hansel is shown to have "sugar sickness" (diabetes) and takes his insulin shot during two instances.

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